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As You Like It
By Amy Dunn
Who doesn't love Shake-speare in the summertime? Broken alliances, forbidden love, and mortal enemies congregate in most of his works and combine to make a story for the ages. The drama, excitement, and hopeless love-at-first-sight in "As You Like It" proves to be no exception.
In the timeless story, Orlando is a young man whose father, Sir Rowland de Bois, has recently died and left the responsibilities of fatherhood to Orlando's older brother, Oliver. Oliver is greedy and refuses to give Orlando any land, money, or education. Orlando recoils to the forest as a result, but not before winning the heart of the fair Rosalind when she witnesses him claim victory in a wrestling match against a brute twice his size. Orlando and Rosalind fall in love instantly, but quickly lose sight of each other when he must run away.
Rosalind lives in opulence with her cousin, Celia, and her unscrup-ulous uncle, Duke Frederick, who stole his throne from Rosalind's father, Duke Senior. In an unexpected rage, Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind from his home, so she and Celia run away together to live in the forest. For safety reasons Rosalind disguises herself as a man and changes her name to Ganymede. Celia dresses as a pea-sant and changes her name to Aliena.
It is not long before the two girls run into Orlando in the forest and, rather than reveal herself as his love, Rosalind continues the charade of being a man and befriends Orlando. Orlando confides in her about his love for Rosalind and his desperation to find her. In the meantime, Orlando's brother, Oliver, makes a transformation and comes to help Orlando. As soon as Oliver arrives he sees Celia and they instantly fall in love. After a series of strange and humorous events, the colorful characters of the forest and all the happy couples come together for a delightful and heart-warming multiple wedding in the forest conducted by Hymen, the god of marriage.
Willow Geer brings life to Rosalind with a high-energy and spunky performance. Her femininity makes it difficult to accept her as a man for a large portion of the show, but all is forgiven when considering her individual position in the context of the play. Geer creates a playful and friendly Gany-mede, and yet can instantly turn into the lovesick and infatuated young Rosalind she really is.
Mike Peebler portrays the pining Orlando, longing to be reunited with his true love, Rosalind. Peebler manages to convince the audience of his desperation for Rosalind, but pulls it off without becoming whiny and irritating. He is a man in love and frantic to live his life by Rosalind's side, whether they are alone in the solace of the forest or in a sprawling castle.
The acting all around was of excellent quality. "As You Like It" has many characters, as most of Shakespeare's plays do, and sometimes it can be overwhelming to remember everyone, but with this set of players that was not a problem. Each person became their own character and brought something unique to the stage. Samara Frame as Celia, Matthew
David Rutledge McCallum as Oliver, Gerald Rivers as Touchstone, and Natalie Jones as Phebe were of special note and premium quality as performers.
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum provides the perfect setting for enjoying an outdoor play at the end of spring in Los Angeles. The outdoor seating is long wooden benches (bring a cushion, blanket, or sweatshirt to sit on) and the over-sized, hovering trees provide just the right amount of shade. The stage and set look like they were literally carved out of the side of the forest and are absolutely beautiful and rustic. The setting at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is not something I expected to find in Los Angeles and is truly one-of-a-kind. Before the show take a stroll down one of the striking trails winding through the property, but drink your coke and coffee before you sit - only water is permitted due to the yellow jackets!
"As You Like It" is showing
at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum on Sundays at 3 p.m. through September 28.
(310) 455-2322
www.theatricum.com